The Brass Lamp the Brass Lamp

January 2016 The Brass Lamp

In the home stretch on the numbers of acclaimed classic cars that were ever made, the name-brand of Cadillac is among the best known. Little wonder! Cadillac went from its modest lower-priced status of selling for under $1,000 in 1903 to tower atop the luxury car market in America by the 1950s.

That was hardly a small feat when considering the early success of Winton, Stevens-Duryea, and a Traditional Cadillac designs were massaged to greater perfection in the eyes of rafter full of luxury car the wealthy who had the cash and willpower to back it up. Thus, custom classics were cultivated and added luster to the growing popularity of the Cadillac sur- makers. Among them name. Shown: a 1939 model. were Pierce-Arrow and Packard, two brands des- The first achievement of various twists and turns with tined for legendary status monumental fame and impact the luxury level as its target. which was realized while was the winning of the Dew- Becoming part of General they were very much in ar Trophy for successful in- Motors in 1908 gave it production. terchangeability of parts. enough momentum to gain The award originated in the the top rung on society’s up- Yet, Cadillac watched. United Kingdom but, inter- wardly mobile ladder of ac- Cadillac learned. Cadillac estingly, was not restricted. clamation which car buyers tried to increase and gain The first Americans to be hoped to climb. Indeed, with notoriety. granted the award were the the advent of Cadillac’s note- Stanley brothers of steam-car worthy V-8 motor in 1914 the fame (1906). Rolls-Royce nameplate made a huge run took the honor for 1907. In for the pinnacle of the domes- 1908, honors came to Cadil- tic automotive industry. Oth- lac. er lesser GM brands lined up behind. The rise of the marque took Continued on page 6 >>>

Joe Yochim (314) 602-9498 THE 40s—A DECADE OF BOTH President CHANGE AND NO CHANGE Mark Goldfeder (314) 878-2786 By Bill Tabor 1st Vice President/Programs

Sharon Mercer (636) 928-8672 The decade of automobile de- tal, in both a coupe and a con- 2nd Vice President/Membership sign in the 40s was in many vertible. The second was some- ways similar to any 10-year thing we still use in a many Louis Allen period through the years. But, changed form today. Oldsmo- (314) 741-4158 in many ways there were vast- bile started selling cars Treasurer ly different and important equipped with something called Vacant things that were a part of that a Hydro-Matic: an automatic Recording Secretary decade. From great innova- transmission. tions to minor face-lifts, and Dr. Gerald Perschbacher truly unbelievable design 1941 saw mostly “face lifts” of (314) 849-5249 Corresponding Secretary changes. All of which seemed the 1940 design for the big to point the finger of change three. There were changes like Directors on to future generations. the Chevy grill, now a copy of Bill Albertin(2016) the Buick grill. There was one Al Mercer(2016) John Clark (2017) The design of the 1940 cars big new announcement from Ron Nelson(2017) had debuted in 1939 and saw Chevrolet: A total new trim line Jackie Allen (2018) few differences in 1940. But to add luxury and appearance to Mike Ebert (2018) there were two things accom- the Chevy. They called it the Ron Nelson plished that year that is truly Special Deluxe. 9826 Affton View Ct. notable. The first and proba- St. Louis, MO 63123 bly most important to the car The brutal attack on the U.S. By (314) 638-7131 Brass Lamp Editor collector was the introduction Japan, December 7, 1941 was a of the—both beautiful and pivotal point that year. Don Hoelscher luxurious—Lincoln Continen- (636) 939-9667 Webmaster

www.hccmo.com (314) 991-HONK

Celebrating 72 Years In St. Louis!

2 The new cars of 1942 were called the “Blackout Spe- cials”, no more “shiny.” Sav- ing materials for the war ef- fort had become the thing to do. Car production stopped in February 1942.

1943, 44 & 45 were notable for two reasons. One—which everyone agreed with—was no production of civilian automobiles, The second, and one my grandmother just could The most notable exceptions the Studebaker, albeit with not believe, was that women to the “same old design prin- much rounding and larger became factory workers. On- cipal” was the 1947 Stu- dimensions. ly with women working could debaker Champion. Wow, we supply our service men. what a cute little car. Some Cadillac and Oldsmobile Those women became heroes folks said “you can't tell were out with the all newly also. whether it's coming or go- designed overhead valve V-8 ing.” Studebaker heralded in engine. All G.M. lines had a August 1945 the new body styles of the new design called the THE WAR WAS OVER future. The second was the “hardtop”. Everybody's sta- new Kaiser. It was much big- tion wagon had lost its wood The auto maker immediately ger, wider, longer, and much and now were all steel. Steel moved their focus toward pro- more rounded, but it set the was available again in mas- ducing the 1946 automobiles. trend to the “slab sided” cars sive supply. Most 1946 models were of the future. “warmed over” remakes of One exception to the no the old 1942 design. With 1948 and Big News: Preston wood sides, Chrysler had re- chrome back they did look Tucker announced the shaped the wood body parts better. planned production of the all of the Town & Country con- new automobile, the Tucker. One major announcement was That just did not happen. He vertible to fit the new flowing made in 1946. Henry Kaiser was later convicted of fraud. design of the 1949 models. was going to build a line of cars called Kaiser Frazer. Hudson came out with a new Also, in an omen of things to Frazer would be the luxury design and a new concept: come, people were seeing car. the “Step Down Design.” more Jaguars, Morris Minors, And in another most unusual Volkswagens, and MGs on Most manufacturers were hap- move, Ford, Cadillac, and the streets. py to be making civilian cars Oldsmobile announced their again, and there was no excit- new 1949 models in mid-year The 40's were both bad and ing news coming out of the displays. good, both great and small. big three. Just normal pro- However the 40's are truly a duction of the old styles. The greatest year of the dec- most exceptional decade in There was, however, two no- ade was 1949. The big three the automobile business. table changes to the business- were all selling the new “slab as-usual mind set of the big sided” cars. Ford had copied three, G.M., Ford and Chrys- the coming or going look of ler.

3 U.S. Veterans Memorial Museum Story and Photos by John R. Paul

Scattered across America are scores of museums, institutions and foundations that serve as repositories of our cultural and automotive heritage. Many of these places are not considered automotive museums, per se. But the historical perspective they provide is no less important when it comes to revealing the many ways the automobile has impacted our world.

Formed as a non-profit in 1986 by invisible from the outside, this con- 1940 Ford Pygmy GP - 01, the current museum director Randy crete and steel building hides a veri- oldest surviving jeep. Placed in Withrow, the organization behind the table treasure trove of military line with a handful of its progeny, U.S. Veterans Memorial Museum in ephemera. Rows upon rows of this original Ford pilot model for Huntsville, Alabama, moved into its tanks, jeeps, helicopters, firearms, the vehicle that would arguably uniforms and assorted memorabilia current building in 2001. What waits help America and its allies win the line the interior of the building, filling inside the unassuming building is Second World War is perhaps the virtually unparalleled in the sheer it almost to capacity. most historically significant piece number of military pieces on dis- in the museum’s collection. Main- play. Not surprisingly, given the wealth of artifacts from the period, the World tained in its mostly unrestored

War II era is the best represented condition, the Pygmy is a rolling Tanks, Jeeps, Firearms and More throughout. From the Allied forces to time capsule and repository of Housed in a former airplane hangar- the Axis countries, elements of each ideas that would ultimately be co- turned-correctional-facility-turned- are represented in some form or museum, the VMM now features an opted by the Willys and Ford joint another. overwhelming number of artifacts venture to produce hundreds of

from the Revolutionary War all the thousands of jeeps for troops Jeeps Galore way up to and through the most re- fighting in theaters across the The automotive centerpiece of the cent Gulf War conflicts. Virtually globe. museum’s entire collection is the

4 Fascinatingly, the subsequent mod- final production WWII jeep, a 1941 jeeps all of the way until the end of els on display alongside the Pygmy Willys MB “slat grill.” Each jeep the ¼-ton vehicle’s military ca- help illustrate the development of the features design elements incorpo- reer. Tucked away in crevices next jeep from its initial iteration through rated from the original prototype, to Sherman tanks and a half-track the apex of its design and construc- which help to showcase the evolu- can be found a Willys MB, an unre- tion. Sitting alongside the Pygmy is a tionary development of this revolu- stored Ford GPW, 1960s Mighty 1941 Ford GP prototype (chassis tionary vehicle design. Mite M22A1, and Vietnam-era M113 number 9911), 1941 Willys Model Beyond the prototypes and pilot Armored Personnel Carrier and MA (chassis number 85504), 1941 model, the jeep history lesson M38A1 Jeep. Bantam BRC 40 (chassis number continues as the museum is filled Courtesy Historic Vehicle 1208) and, an early example of the with an expansive array of military Association blog

5 <<< from page one

While Cadillac mastered the interchangeability of its parts in order to achieve mass production, it kept its corporate eyes on special features, ex- travagant appointments, and tasteful designs – all of which catered to society’s upper crust (or those who THOUGHT they were good enough for that social level).

Truly, for all the features Ca- dillac automobiles offered, the elite as much as possi- looking grand in every detail the intangible element for the ble, or at least showed up at of appearance. Navigating car’s success can be attributed the proper time and place to such a craft along the boule- to its sales staff in distributor- be seen by the elite and thus vards of high-rent districts ships and dealerships strategi- gain their confidence. These and corporate headquarters cally positioned around the were not people who “sold” allowed an aura to develop globe. Why? cars as much as they were around owner and even driv- people who “provided per- er. Being a Cadillac chauf- Buyers liked to feel special if sonal transportation” fitting feur was an achievement of they thought they were. This the tastes and pockets of distinction among that pro- appealed to the wealthy, so those who ordered. fession. sharp sales reps groomed that logic. That’s why Cadillac “Jeeves” as chauffeur knew Obviously, the sales force agencies from coast to coast his place. It was a coveted pushed the high-end models. spent large sums to design position often a combination Their commission increased and decorate their swanky of professional driver, accordingly along with their showrooms to make them ex- handy mechanic, and body sales prestige. Catalogs and travagant castles. Much like guard. Such a retainer was prestige packets in limited precious jewels in a custom- usually provided living editions were shared only made box, Cadillacs were dis- space in the spacious home with the BEST of customers, played to potential buyers of the Cadillac owner. As meaning those who had the ready cash to pay for the full who made contact. such, Jeeves was hardly order upon immediate deliv- more than a moment away ery – or, in select cases, when Sales staffs were trained to from fulfilling the whims of butter-up potential clients. the custom order was com- the household’s head and pleted. Some of the sales ap- These were no mere owner. “salesmen,” as the term was peal was wiggled as bait be- fore hungry eyes. These in- coined. These were experts Leading to the peak of Ca- in their field of selling. To be cluded select packets and dillac perfection were its portfolios of car portraits successful in the long run, magical motors of V-12 and showing conversions by Der- they looked the part in perfect V-16 designs which were ham, LeBaron, Dietrich, and grooming, fitted suits, and dominant in the 1930s and more cultured manners. They took which tested the ability of out memberships in exclusive chauffeurs to keep the cars Point-of-sale locations were clubs, rubbed shoulders with running smoothly while equipped with necessary

6 buyers had risen from the adjusting on a few mun- low end of society to now dane appointments they sit in wealth and power. believed needed to be en- Yet, a good number held to hanced. their early reservations as a practical proletariat while In a certain respect, those others splurged to the Nth who ordered began with an degree to enjoy as much of empty canvass and, by ap- their wealth and importance plying details like the mas- as possible. terful strokes of an artist’s brush, made their self- Some ordered odd, extrava- Cadillac Salesman, New York (1955) By William Klein suited masterpiece. Still, gant appointments, body everyone who saw it lines, and other features. would know it was a Ca- tools to coax and direct buyers to Some ordered exterior trim order the dream car they desired. dillac. And a CADILLAC to be muted or flaunted as a it would remain. Some buyers were uneasy about means to impress others. ordering a custom body or gilded There were more buyers After all, a STANDARD inside hardware and other features who held to a basic for their means of transport. Some of greatness holds its own “production” design while around the world.

What is it? Can you identify this car?

E-mail the editor at [email protected] if you can identify this car

7 If cars from bygone years com- out, those were historically signifi- peted for sale popularity in today’s cant years. Battle of Decades world, what would be the result? “People were gaining wealth at That’s the question you can help a fantastic rate in the 1920s as the answer at the 2016 St. Louis Auto Stock Market soared -- so many Show when you visit a special exhib- individuals jumped in as new in- it called BATTLE OF THE DEC- vestors. Then came the Crash on ADES: THE TWENTIES VERSUS Wall Street in late 1929. The THE FIFTIES. 1950s marked a dramatic step for- Cars from the 1920s set a ward following the Second World “roaring” new pace for motoring. But War. Sales were good and be- how did that compare to the advanc- came even greater as those years es and challenges of the 1950s? progressed. In 1957 and 1958 a “THAT’s the question,” adds Dr. recession hit the economy and car Gerald Perschbacher, who is coordi- makers had to respond with gadg- nating the exhibit for the Horseless ets that attracted sales plus longer Carriage Club of Missouri, Inc., old- and lower cars. You’ll see what we est and largest club of its type in the mean by visiting the exhibit at the Midwest. “A car may seem great show,” says Perschbacher. when it is introduced, but time will tell how TRULY great it was. Then compare that to cars made 30 years PROGRESS between the two later, and the REAL winners will decades of the 1920s and surface.” 1950s clearly is displayed at The exhibit includes more than a this year's St. Louis Auto Show dozen cars of diverse makes and thanks to members involved with their vehicles in the Auto models drawn from the two decades. Show: Joe Yochim (1950 There has never been an exhibit of Buick), John Porbeck (1955 this sort at the Auto Show, so this Packard), Ron Korb (1923 Ford marks a first in show history, too. Depot Hack), the Allens (1926 Ford), Charles Gallagher (1925 “People can let us know what Franklin), Kent & Bill Zschoche they think about the comparisons,” (1957 VW bus), Ron Nelson says Joe Yochim, HCCM president, (1958 Metro), and Rich Rott- who is slated to have a car in the nek (1928 Buick) display. He adds that a battery of automotive experts from his organization will be on hand at all times of the show to point out special features of vintage cars. The decades were selected be- cause they marked high points in domestic car production and sales. In 1929, sales hit a phenomenal peak that was not surpassed until the mid-1950s, which set a new rec- ord. Americans were car hungry in both decades. And design changes along with technical advances were being offered at a dramatic pace in both decades. As the club points

8 The 2016 St. Louis Auto Show By Gerald Pershbacher (LL.D.)

Progress is not always easy to measure, Still, creature comforts in the 1950s but when it comes to the advance of au- were met in lush, roomy, and comforta- tomotive design and technology, pro- ble interiors. Sedans usually carried six gress is very apparent. The special infor- or more passengers. Plenty of space mational and educational exhibit at this was available in large trucks. Engines year's St. Louis Auto Show proves that tended to be of eight cylinder design alt- point. hough a few carried on tried-and-true economical performance as fours. Cars Cars made in the early 1920s were hard- of the 1950s were lower, longer, and ly a generation away from the horseless more powerful than those of the carriages of yore that chugged, puffed, 1920s. Exterior styling also was vastly and wheezed their ways along dusty important. roads and unpaved byways at speeds less than 15 miles per hour. A new Air conditioning became a valued op- awakening in demand for personal trans- tion. All-season ventilation was promot- portation gained momentum in that dec- ed. Mass production of cars allowed for ade as Americans took to the prices to be relatively reasona- road. Families set out on long-distance ble. Colors abounded, electronic extras vacations and could not tolerate vehicles such as power windows and automatic that were uncomfortable, jittery, and hard door locks became fashionable. Woolen to manage. By the late 1920s cars were interiors common in the 1920s gave way designed with much thought toward ease to nylon versions with a vast array of de- of handling, reliability, and rider com- signs and colorations. Rear-mounted fort. Speeds exceeded even 50 mph spare tires (commonly called continental when road surfaces allowed. kits) made cars even longer overall and more attention-getting. Generally, cars in the late 1920s were practically palaces on wheels compared In the 1950s America faced its first major to their predecessors. This trend toward automotive onslaught due to cars import- improvement made even more progress ed from Europe. Countries trying to re- in the 1930s and 1940s, so that when build after years of devastating war of- peace returned to the world after the fered cheap labor with quality results in Second World War, Americans were cars. The automotive business would ready to buy cars that performed better never be the same. than ever!

AUTOMOTIVE PIONEERS TRIVIA CHALLENGE “Hall of Fame” Every month we will feature a description of one or more automotive pioneers. Can you guess the identity of these inventive and creative people? Answers the following month.

Pioneer # 1. 1883 – 1967

A man of vision, with an inventive flair. In his lifetime he compiled more than 100 patents for various devices. Mostly automotive. In 1930 he invented the windshield wiper and soon after the double wiper to also let the passenger see during bad weather.

Among other items patented was a “Motector”—a device incorporated into the hood ornament to show engine coolant temperature. He was a true pioneer in bringing creature comfort to the owner/driver of an automobile.

Who was this great man? Answer next month.

Pioneer # 2. 1875 – 1966

A man of wisdom and foresight, with a leader’s mind. He serves as President of an American Manufacturing Company from 1923 to 1936. His career started in 1895 as a draftsman with Hyatt Roller Bearing Company. Under his direction that American manufacturing company became quite large and profitable.

He retired from the company board in 1956 to devote full time to philanthropies and a cancer research center.

Who was this great man? Answer next month.

Source for most information: CHILTONS COMPLETE BOOK OF AUTOMOTIVE FACTS, Editor: Craig T. Norback. Published 1979. Monthly submissions by Bill Tabor.

As soon as Jim Beum bought his 1912 Chalmers in 1951 as its second owner, he probably had no idea that he and wife Ada would clock about 50,000 relatively trouble-free miles in the old timer. But that’s the nature of car ownership among members of the Horseless Carriage Club of America. Jim discovered that the car was displayed by the Lawfer Auto Company at the Allentown, Pa., Fair in the fall of 1911. While en route to that fair, the Leon German family had a breakdown with the failed axle of their Dragon automobile. The Chalmers became its replacement. Stored indoors for 26 years, the car finally found Jim and Ada. But in 1988, time came to find the third owner. It was Alfred Shaw, who wrote about the car in the January-February 2011 edition of Horseless Carriage Gazette (editor: John C. Meyer III). Now Alfred tabulates an addi- tional 10,000 miles he has clocked on the car. The engine remains untouched, although some attention had been given to the top, clutch, and a couple transmission gears. He finally replaced all its tires from the second owner—pretty good for 60,000 miles of hobby driving! The HCCA is mainly a touring car club for brass-era cars (1915 and earlier). It’s a gas to tour around with such old machines, through picturesque settings at speeds conducive to enjoyment without the hassle of highways. And if you are like Alfred Shaw, you know it’s wise to be ready to stop on those tours – given the two-wheel mechanical brakes most old cars carried. And being with drivers of like mind--even that can be enjoyable! The HCCA’s address is 5709 Oak Ave., Temple City, CA 91780-2431 (www.hcca.org). 10 The Brass Lamp

The Publication of the Horseless Carriage Club of Missouri, Inc. January 2016

Activities Calendar

Information in this calendar is summarized. See flyers for 2016 Club Events Calendar events —go to www.midwestswapmeets.com January 15 Club 7:30 Events General Calendar Meeting, Logan 2016 SWAP MEETS CAR SHOWS, ETC. February 19 7:30 General Meeting, Logan March 12 Noon—St. Patrick’s Day Parade January 28-31 St. Louis Auto Show, America’s Center March 18 6:30 St. Patrick’s Feast, Logan February 12 Ozark Empire fairgrounds Springfield MO March 27 Easter Concours d’Elegance February 20 It’s a Gas —Cowan Ctr, Lebanon MO April 15 7:30 General Meeting, Logan March 27 Concours d’Elegance, Muny Lot May 20 7:30 General Meeting, Logan April 9 Auto & Cycle Swap, Effingham Fairgrnds June 17 6:30 Strawberry festival— May 21 Missouri Baptist Medical Ctr. North Lot Intro new members, Logan June 21 Father’s Day Show, Mus. of Transport June 19 Father’s Day Car Show October 9 Brass & Nickel Show, Mus. Of Transport July 15 7:30 General meeting, Logan August 19 Picnic—11 AM Schroeder Park September 16 7:30 General Meeting, Logan October 21 6:30 White Elephants, Logan November 18 6:30 Chili Cook-off, Logan

Alert! Please check the club web site monthly at HCCMO.com for notices of club event cancella- tions or changes in time or location due to weather Reminder for Volunteers or other circumstances.

Volunteering to work at the Easter show and/or the September Swap Meet events held by the club earns credit toward free admission to the annual Christmas dinner and party. Your next opportunity is working at the Easter Concours d’Elegance

The Brass Lamp is a monthly publication of The Horseless Carriage Club of Missouri ©2016 All Rights Reserved. Material from this 11 newsletter may be reprinted or shared by our club members with proper citation and written consent from the editor.

Ron and Dian Korb’s 1923 Ford Depot Hack will be featured in the 2016 St. Louis

Auto Show. See the show article on Page 9.

The Brass The Lamp A Publication of the Horseless Carriage Club of Missouri, Inc. Carriage Missouri, of Club Horseless the of Publication A www.hccmo.com (314) 991-HONK